Melbourne House, Volume 2

sed her to keener discomfort. She had confessed herself wrong, and had told him the way to get right; yet she herself, in spite of knowing the way, was not right, but very far from it. So she felt.

t Gary. She did not want to see her or hear her, and the thought of a kiss from her was unendurable. Nay, Daisy felt as if she would like to punish her, if she could; or at least to repossess herself of her stolen property by fair means or by foul. She was almost inclined to think that she must have it at all events. And at the same time, she had told D

d, beseech you that ye walk worthy of

could mean; but yet she caught at something of the sense. "Walk worthy," she understood that; and guessed what "vocati

ess, with long-suffering, for

easantly to her aunt? could she even look pleasantly at her? could she "forbear" all unkindness, even in thought? Not y

ey it. Some of the chapter she did not quite understand; but she went on reading, all the same, till she came to the last verse. That went through an

earted, forgiving one another, even as G

ive such loads and loads of naughtiness in her! Daisy would have no friendship with her resentment any more. She turned her back upon it, and fled from it, and sought eagerly that help by which, as she had told Dr. S

erybody was busy. However they put to the proof the state of her feeling to

isy? Ready to go d

s,

the better o

s,

n take flight?" said the doctor, lookin

let the corners of his lips curl away from some very white teeth. Dr. Sandford rarely laughed. And there was nothing mocking about his smile now, thoug

offending party sin

s,

eel no return

, s

face, so unruffled in its loving calm and assurance, that Dr Sandf

young Preston one of these days," he remark

y. "It wasn't Preston at all.

t?" said t

l; nor any

wo; Daisy's arm was round his neck to help support herself; the two looked into each other's faces. Certa

chairs, and tables which made the room pretty to Daisy's eyes, looked very pleasant after the long weeks in which she had not seen them. But along with her joy at seeing them ag

," said the doctor; "and now I will send

as so tenderly glad to have her there again, that Daisy's little heart

is nice,

ha

re, and wit

down to Daisy's, and kis

Silver Lake with you as soo

rd says he can manage it

ek or tw

who is

ody, I

is anybody to

must ask D

e would go. But is any

y. Whom would you li

much to have Nora Dinwi

ll your m

little; then she be

at is a '

s what,

tion,

you get t

d it in

a person's busine

that,

which it is used, but you w

tell m

hy

w the meanings of th

hat some persons are particularly appointe

hard at him, and then

not think you have a

h, half

he child, "I c

ser you will know better. At present your vocation is to be a good little daughter. Now what are

at shall we do?

you at l

or this morning at any

ng my tray for me; and let us go

said Mr. Rand

know. Captain Drummond and I got just there and the

ve he wa

said Preston. "He was

ror was a great de

much of a usurper, w

hics, Preston," Mr. Ra

on the S

the tray, please? Jun

intance with various localities, and gradually getting Preston warmed up to the play. It was quite exciting; for with every movement of William's victorious footsteps, the course of his progress had to be carefully studied out on a printed map, and then the towns and villages which marked his way noted on the clay map, and their places betoken

't their red heads look pretty! And, O Preston! we ought to ha

ll be nothing but mark

es

library table; it is in the portfolio there. Now I can put a little square bit of this on every battle-field, and

ink blotting paper by

aid Daisy. "Were new kings always

ng very like that, Daisy. When a king died, two of his

ting would not ma

d Preston; "do you kno

else would fi

you know, as the Saxons did with Harold; and part would

nt off into one of his laughs. Daisy looked o

my dear? What are you

g English, hist

muss, and these red and black spots? doe

t have less muss than this where people are fighting. But I really don't know wha

-as Preston burst into another lau

y unruffled and gentle

nd of anot

at I had robbed you of y

not among my thi

t value it; and it was very desirable to m

ou should have

my dear, when you fo

angry now,

leness did not testify to anything like unconcern about the matter; and if there had been concern, Mrs. Gary was not desirous to a

at about, Daisy?

us go on with Will

of yours h

yptian

d thing with th

reston, what

ay she could

aid, if I say that

give it

to do with William the Conq

o know. Did you

should have it. No

you give my mo

ite proper to question me in that manner abou

lay with her for a very long time; finding it, with Daisy's eagerness and freshness, a very good play indeed. Only he would persist in calling every cause of war, every disputed succession, every rivalry of c

little way at first, across the floor and back; no more that day; but from that time Daisy felt whole again. Soon she could walk to please h

d stand at her window and look out; and go down on her own feet to join the family at breakfast. Her father procured her a seat next himself now, which Daisy did not use to have; and she enjoy

loor; planting her towns and castles, or going hack to those already planted with a fresh interest from new associations. Certain red-headed and certain black-headed and certain green-headed pins came to be very well known and familiar in the course of ti

by that, Preston

f quarrel

all them Egyp

ouble, I shou

why do you call th

a cause of trouble to the faithful; and I was afrai

e you been sayin

out that; only what

ou, Daisy. She told me nothing at all, aunt

. "She made me feel quite easy about keeping it. I shall ha

doing there?" Mrs. Randolp

mma; I am. En

dying; and that tray-w

and,

Mrs. Randolph d

got in that thi

omething-it's prepa

thing besides my library. You are hanging over it

mma,

ether it is not good fo

ismay. "Do ask Dr. Sandford if h

would see whether Daisy is occupying herself, in your judgm

her side. Mrs. Randolph on the other hand did not wish, to dispute it, for she wa

is t

of Engl

are you doi

, and studying

mies? or warriors? they

on," said Daisy. "They

insta

nd this is Caernarvon, and Conway; and these black ones are towns

ake a witch to remembe

ome to a great town or castle we mark it. These bit

!" said t

aid Daisy. "Captain Dr

the h

his way of

ng to keep quiet. Nothing cou

sting, this w

good deal of eagerness, m

r. "I do not believe in such a method of study, nor wish Daisy

you?" said the

ing through the w

emember how those

ke of York tried to get

hink he was wr

the doctor. "You are getting through the wars of

d the battle of Bosworth Field. Then he married Eliza

sly?" said

not know anything about

st of the world while the Ro

up with a sudden expression of humbleness.

where the Hudso

it was wher

not thinking of building; and the Indians ferried their canoes over to Silver Lake, where a

no white p

He did that just about seven years after Hen

with a glance so wistful and profound in its

at lady did not look by any means well pleased. The doctor stood before he

least, a Southerner?" was

our good opinion as to confess mysel

sy's plunging herself into study, and books

my depth t

al too much of it when she begins; and she wants strengthening first, in my opinion

n hinder a tree from growing, in a particular place,

do you

may be a goo

d a little har

could hinder her from reading,

s that,

o bear it; and she is injure

t of her way," sug

an; but it is not possi

ger held Daisy's attention. For together with her mother's lowering of voice, the one word "Bible" had come to her con

uld such a place be? It was a puzzle, because all Daisy's things were, of course, open to her mother. Perhaps Daisy's fears were needless; but after the affair of her Egyptian spoon she looked with jealous eves not only on her Bible, but on her trilobite. She sat down with a dismayed little face, to think where she could find a hiding-place. She thought of putting the Bible under her bed or pillow; but the bed was turned over every mo

be as safe as she could, she would read with locked doors for the future. And as doors must not be locked at times when her mother might be coming and going, Daisy chose early morning and late evening for her Bible-reading. She used to let June undress her, and finish all her duties of dressing-maid; then she sent her away and locked her doors, and re

want?" said

stopping very unwillingly-"I thou

ou not go

ed," said June, in a sc

ed?-k

back and

er her maid's hands; "you would not waken

came to the door herself. One or two of the touches of her imperative fingers bro

mother, "what is y

d it fast for

t last night or

ought-I meant to

your d

, ma

forbid you ever to turn the key i

want it shut

nd let June

grieved. The tears gathered and fell, quietly, all through the process of dressing; and a sort of sob heaved from the child's breast now and then, without word

d minds them not at all in comparison with the service in which he is engaged. And a soldier of Jesus Christ has only to obey him, and take willingly whatever comes in the line of his service. What matter? The only thing was to obey orders, and do the work she was set upon. Hardships did not seem much like hardships when she thought of them in this way. And then it occurred to Daisy, that if she could not fasten her doors, she had better just kneel down as usual with them open. She could not do without praying; and if she must be in traded upon, why it was a little hardship that she had better not mind. And when sh

how grave and busy! A very weight of care of some sort seemed to lie under her childish little brow. She was opening her desk and looking out paper; some she felt and rejected-it was too thin or too blue, or something; she tried her pen on another kind; it did not go well. At last a thick little sheet of note paper was chosen; and Daisy

k about being a Christian?

AI

ead go down on her hands on the desk. It did not move for a good while. When it was lifted up, sh

that it would lie safely hid; then put on the cover and put the box in its place, and went away with light hands and a heavy heart. Heavy, that is, with a burden of doubt mingled with fear. Would Mr. Randolph be angry? Daisy could not feel sure that that would not be the consequence of her proceeding. Perhaps he would be very much displeased, and think it very disrespectful and improper that his little daughter should take so much upon herself. Daisy knew quite well all that. But who else in the world would take the responsibility if she did not? No one; and Daisy with all her fear did not once think of going to get her note away again before it should be read. Her heart yearned towards her father. He was so very gentle and tender in his manner with her, more than ever,

Mr. Randolph came near where she was, Daisy looked up with something like a start. There was nothing in his face to alarm her; and so night came, and Daisy kissed him twice for good night, wondering to

of his box of shaving soap the next morning. He was belated and in something of a hurry. If ever a man suddenly forgot his hurry, Mr. Randolph did, that morning. He knew the unformed, rather irregular and stiff handwriting in a moment; and concluded that Daisy had some request to make on her own account which

name, coming to his door. And seeing her husband standing sti

y be late! what ha

essing-table. Mr. Randolph was looking at it. He did not answer

claimed Mrs

rt of a noise, as he turned away an

said the lady

ee-" said M

id it co

nature t

e did you

this m

tinent lit

ot mean to be imp

aviour that is not

n that whic

place," said Mrs. Randolph, after musing a fe

applied it. That might be the

a child like that! It is the trick of all religious people, to think themselves bette

lph's part and steady atte

o you mean to

k, none

lph, Daisy

quite se

s, which will be habits fixed as iron in a little time if

a child to me,"

he sits down to table? She covers her face and rem

ords. Mr. Randolph could not well laugh, for he w

a docile child any longer, I give you warning. You will find it very difficult t

. Randolph looked vexed. At length he re

; "direct and indirect." And after

and gave her a kiss. He was very much touched by the little fluttering start and glance which Daisy returned to this salutation, and he saw that a pink flush of pleasure came into her cheeks. Perhaps all this put the subject of watching her out of Mr. Randolph's head; he certainly did not see the minute, a few minutes later, when Daisy's hand stole to her brow and her eyes were for a short space hidden and her

suddenly transferred to her father's stately board, where every beauty and luxury were gathered together and an array of friends to help each other enjoy it; and no one remembered, no one acknowledged that any gratitude was due to the hand that had supplied the board and given the friends, Daisy's heart was pained by a great sense of want. Not thank God for all these things? give no acknowledgement o